Selected Works | Christopher Esper

Page 1

Christopher Esper

1| Christopher Esper

SELECTED WORKS


SYSTEMS

SITE

SITUATION

4

10

22

Berklee College of Music Back Bay, Boston

Border Cultural Center

The City of Gowanus

Texas - Mexico Border

in the Borough of Brooklyn

The City of Gawanus

Low-E Glass Layer

in the borough of Brooklyn

Polycarbonate Panel Lay

Structural Steel Frame

While El Paso and Cd. Juarez share ma place in the early history and foundation est of times, the cross- border mentality such the violence in Mexico and immigra Ve purpose of Congruence is to re-surface back together, and “reflect” the characte Structural Concrete Base

2 | Selected Works

Presented by Team Chinezia: Lauren Bordes Gillian Chang Chris Esper Brian Haulter


STRUCTURE 28

Natatorium

Critic: Nicholas Markovich |Fall ‘10

REAL ESTATE

THEORY

Soldiers Field

“A Ballroom for Fred Astair”

40

Development, Negotiation & Investment Analysis

50

Studio Option: Mack Scogin

yer

Frame Detail

Egress

any cultural and social influences such as the Hispanic culture and El Paso’s n of the United States, El Paso is also a cultural hub representing from the earliy of the early 1900’s. In a more contemporary setting, certain external forces ationCirculation has not only caused a geographical divide, but also a social divide. The ertical the facets of life that manifest physical setting and essentially “grow” the two that once made both cities one in the same. eeristics Foundation

COMPETITION

32

Parametric Semiology

46

Push-Pull

Critic: Patrick Schumaker |Studio Option Fall ‘13

OnePrize Competition Entry

44

SKILLS PROFESSIONAL

Para-Mesh Frame Mesh, Computation

54

Professional

HOK Architects 80 Story Tower Facade DD

Residential

a post- Katrina dwelling

3| Christopher Esper

Pedestrian Circulation


Berklee College of Music Mixed-Use Tower in Back Bay Boston Critic: Jonathan Levi

a

B

A

+0

+20

CR.AL.AR CR.AL.AR CR.AL.AR

CR.AL.AR

CR.AL.AR

b

L

[Lobby] -Cafe -Book Store -Coat/ Ticketing -ICA Lobby

4 | Selected Works

Scale: 1/8” = 1’

a

B

A

CR.AL.AR

CR.AL.AR

CR.AL.AR

CR.AL.AR

CR.AL.AR CR.AL.AR

b CR.AL.AR

CR.AL.AR

CR.AL.AR

Musical compilation as a diverse and complex art is not unlike the orchestration of space. The culmination of various programmatic elements is similar to the composition of a score whereby various human activities can be orchestrated in a harmonious way that mediates the alternating scale and rhythm of space. In the case of this new proposal for The Berklee College of Music in Back Bay Boston, the interaction of the public with musicians on the street, on train stops platforms and stair stoops not to mention other nodes of heightened urban activity, further reinforces the need for an institution that is of the city. The analysis of these often oblique, active surfaces can be recomposed into a score for the city that projects unto itself the diverse urban phenomenon which facilitates spaces for musicians and the cities interaction with them.

B

[Berklee College Class/Admin] -Large Classrooms -Small Classrooms -Administration -Academic Hall/Commons Scale: 1/8” = 1’


5| Christopher Esper


D

6 | Selected Works

B

T

G L

A

Transverse Section

[Transverse Section] Scale: 1/16” = 1’


D

7| Christopher Esper

B

T

L G

B

[Longitudinal Section] Scale: 1/16” = 1’


8 | Selected Works

a

A

b

D

[Dormatory] -Dorm Rooms -Student Lounges -Outdoor Terrace Scale: 1/8” = 1’

B


Dormitory/ Terrace 9| Christopher Esper


The City of Gowanus

10 | Selected Works

in the borough of Brooklyn Critic: Eric Howeler | Masterplan in collaboration with Brian Haulter, Lauren Bordes & Gillian

The Gowanus Canal, in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, is one of the most polluted waterways in the United States. This project approaches the redevelopment of the area with a focus placed on not only the remediation of the canal, but also with sensitivity to the preservation of the rich industrial history of the Gowanus and its neighbors. The existing fabric of Red Hook was evaluated based upon its importance (both culturally and aesthetically), with run-down and abandoned structures or plots being redeveloped in early phases, those with high tenant turnover rates or in obvious need of disrepair being redeveloped in the later phases, and structures that have been declared as historical landmarks or as important to the neighborhood being preserved and influencing the coding of the new development.

A major cause for the pollution of the canal is the direct runoff it receives from the surrounding streets. This not only causes all manner of pollutants from cars and litter to pour directly into the waterway, but without any mitigation of stormwater runoff, even mildly heavy rains can cause flooding of the Gowanus neighborhood. Our solution was to dedicate a large portion of the redeveloped land to “rain parks�. These are areas of lower elevation that are intentionally flooded during times of heavy rains, but programmable as parks, plazas, parking lots, amphitheaters, etc. for most of the year. The addition of an elevated pedestrian pathway allows for a secondary ground level, especially convenient during those times of heavy rain, and provides an infrastructure for a system of drainage between building and rain parks. The maximum building envelopes of the new development have been shaped to provide for optimal evaporation within the rain parks, as well as following the city’s preexisting light and air requirements.


Framework

Between Existing and New Formations Existing We believe that progress is forwarded by a distinct dialectic between existing entities and new formations. To reform the site, we intend to preserve an urban memory as we develop a new city language.

Phase 0

11| Christopher Esper

1. Demolish Category 1 & 2 Buildings. 2. Construct primary and secondary pedestrian paths to increase flow to site. 3. Excavate and expand canal for remediation and marina.

Phase 1 1. Consolidate parcels on blocks with less than three existing buildings remaining. 2. Construct rainparks. 3. Enact Code (except Memory Laws). 4. Begin development of consolidated blocks.

Phase 2 1. Demolish Category 3& 4 Buildings. 2. Construct tertiary pedestrian paths. 3. Enact Memory Laws. 4. Open remaining site to development.

Code: Memory Laws

M1.07

Memory Stack Value 6 building owners may build new structure atop existing so long as the Value 6 building is designated to civic use and the facade is preserved.

M1.08

Memory Bond If constructing directly adjacent to a Value 6 building, new structure must allow 50% of windows on existing party wall access to natural light.

50%

Framework

“Between Existing and New Formations�


Civic 10%

9

Residential 35%

15%

20 million

$

30%

55%

Typ. Storefront

Retail 40%

Live-Work Hotel 5% 5%

SQFT

General 40%

Gallery/Museum 15%

Flagship

1-2 B.R. 46%

Local

GROSS

Convention 15%

Family 16%

Business/ Office 45%

AVG. FAR

High Density 38%

Recreation 30%

Start-Up 5%

$ Commercial 40% Manufacturing 15%

The City of Gowanus

12 | Selected Works

in the borough of Brooklyn

Canal and3Path and Canal Carving Path and Carving Path Carving 3 Canal and 4 Path Carving 3 Carving 3 Canal 2 Rain Park Ridge Line Ridge Line 4 Ridge 4 Line

2 Setback 2 Park Rain Rain2Carving Park Rain Carving Park Carving 1 Street

Setback Street Setback 1 Street 1 Street 1 Setback

Water Planes Water Planes Water Planes

Water Planes

Waterways and Waterways rain parks may and exist rainWaterways parks on mayand existrain onparks may exist on multiple planes.multiple planes. multiple planes.

Mass andMass Paths andMass Paths MassRain andCarving Paths

Mass and Paths

1. Rain parks are 1. Rain created parks as intentional are created 1. Rainflooding parks as intentional arezones, created flooding as intent zon alleviating the strain alleviating on the thecanal. strain alleviating on the canal. the strain on the canal. Buildings whichBuildings intersectwhich designated intersect Buildings designated which intersect designated Buildings which intersect des Buildings adjacent tomust and directly across pedestrian paths pedestrian must allow paths their must pedestrian allow their paths allow their pedestrian paths must allow t the street from rain parks must follow the2. A ridgeline is2.placed A ridgeline at theismidpoint placed 2. A ridgeline atbetween the midpoint is placed the between atand the may mid the continuous passage continuous and may passage extend continuous and and may passage extend and and may extend and continuous passage carving sunlight requirements. canal parks andredirecting the raincanal parks half and redirecting of all therainwater parks of redirectin all connect to the connect paths ontoany theofpaths the connect on any toof the the paths on any of the canal and the rain connect torain thehalf paths onrainwa any o

Right to Right Light to Right Light to Light

Right to Light

Right to Light Right to LightRight to Light Residents have Residents a right have to Residents natural a right light to have natural ina right light to in natural light in their habitats. their habitats.their habitats.

Right to LightDevelopments Developments surrounding rain surrounding parks Developments rain parks surrounding rain parks mayabuild directly may upbuild to edge directly of pool may upin tobuild edgedirectly of poolup to edge of pool Residents have right to natural light provided boundary they offer provided pedestrian boundary they offerprovided pedestrian they offer pedestrian their habitats.boundary pathway through pathway and down through to pool and pathway area. downthrough to pool and area.down to pool area.

When possible,When rain parks possible, mustrainWhen parkspossible, must rain parks must When possible, rain parks must Developments surrounding rainBlocks parkstouchingBlocks canal edge touching mustcanal Blocks edgetouching must canal edge must Blocks touching canal edge must be placed along bethe placed southern along the besouthern placed along the southern be placed along the southern Xsurrounding pedestrian X Developments Developments surrounding pedestrian surrounding Developments pedestrian dedicate 60% of adjacent at least 60% dedicate of adjacent at least 60% of adjacent dedicate at least 60% of adjacent may build directly up to edge of pool at leastdedicate 20%X edge of a blockedge to achieve of a block toedge achieve of a block to achievewaterfront at a depth edge of at a block tofeet achieve pathsat must path’s provide, plane, paths at 50% path’s must provide, plane, 50% waterfront of at at least a depth 20 feet waterfront ofto at least at20 a depth feet toof least 20 to paths must provide, waterfront at aplane, depth50% ofat at path’s least 20 feet to boundary provided they offer pedestrian maximum access maximum to sunlight. access to maximum sunlight.access to sunlight. air space. open air space. open air space. maximum access to sunlight. open airarea space. floor area of public flooruse. area of public floor use. of public use. pathway through and down toopen pool area.

Rain Parks Rain ParksRain Parks

Ped PathPed Enclaves Path Enclaves Ped Path Enclaves

Courtyard Courtyard CarvingCarving 6 Party 6 Courtyard 6Carving 5 Parcel

Party Parcel Party 5 Parcel 5 Parcel 5 Party

>75’

Mass Party Mass Courtyard Mass Courtyard Mass Courtyard Buildings may occupy the full width of

>75’

Mass PartyMass PartyParcel MassConfiguration Party

Parcel Consolidation Parcel Consolidation Parcel Consolidation

their Parcel to form party walls with their Buildings with floor Buildings plates with exceeding floor Buildings plates 75’ exceeding with floor 75’plates exceeding adjacent buildings, adjacent provided buildings, that thisprovided adjacentthat buildings, this provided that this adjacent 75’ buildings, provided that this in their shortest dimension in their shortest must dimension introduce in their shortest must introduce dimension must does not obscuredoes existing not obscure windows.existing does not windows. obscure existing windows. doesintroduce not obscure existing windows. a courtyard at least awalls. courtyard 20% of floor at least areaa20% courtyard of floorat area least 20% of floor areamust contain 60% party walls. A block must contain A block 60% must party contain walls. A 60% blockparty mustwalls. contain 60% party A block

Buildings may occupy Buildings the may full width occupy of Buildings the full may widthoccupy of the full width of

20%

20%

Parcel Consolidation Parcel may Consolidation not exceed Parcel may one Consolidation not block. exceed one mayblock. not exceed one block.

Parcel Geometry Parcel Geometry Parcel Geometry

New Parcel division New Parcel must respect division New block must Parcel geometry. respect division block must geometry. respect block geometry.

Parcel Minimum Parcel Minimum Parcel Minimum

20’

20’

A parcel’s shortest A parcel’s lengthshortest may not Alength parcel’s be narrower may shortest not than belength 20 narrower feet. maythan not 20 be feet. narrower than 20 feet.

Mass Courtyard Buildings with floor plates exceeding 75’ in their shortest dimension must introduce a courtyard at least 20% of floor area

Parcel Geometry Waste

Waste Water

Waste Water Water Waste Water

New Parcel division must respect block geometry. 20’

20%

Parcel Consolidation

Parcel Consolidation may not exceed one block.

Buildings exceeding Buildings an FAR exceeding of 3.5 must Buildings an FAR include of exceeding 3.5 a 50% must include an FAR aof50% 3.5 must include a 50% 20’ efficient rainwater efficient and greywater rainwaterrecycling and efficient greywater system rainwater recycling in order and greywater system in order recycling system in order A parcel’s shortesttolength may not beonnarrower than 20infrastructure. feet. demand on infrastructure. minimise demand to minimise infrastructure. demand toon minimise

Parcel Minimum

Ped Path Enclave

20%X

X

20%X

Developments surrounding p paths must provide, at path’s floor area of public use.

6 Courtyard Feasable Floorplate/ Floorplate/ Height Floorplate/ Height Height 7 Carving 7 Feasable 7 Feasable 7 Feasable Floorplate/ Height

>75’

Parcel Configuration Parcel Configuration Parcel Configuration

Configuration of Configuration Parcels respects of Parcels Configuration existing respects organization.. ofexisting Parcels organization.. respects existing organization.. Configuration of Parcels respects existing organization.. their Parcel to form their party Parcel walls to with formtheir party their Parcel walls with to form theirparty walls with their

Master Plan

Mass RainMass Carving Rain Carving Mass Rain Carving

Buildings adjacent Buildings to and adjacent directly across to Buildings and directly adjacent across to and directly across the parks streetmust from follow rain parks the the street mustfrom follow rainthe parks must follow the Waterways and rain parks may the existstreet on from rain carving sunlight carving requirements. sunlight requirements. carving sunlight requirements. multiple planes.

into the rain parks. into the rain parks.into pedestrian the rain parks. pedestrian Planes.pedestrian Planes. Planes. Rain Park Right Rain Park to Right RaintoPark Right to Rain Park Right to pedestrian Planes. Block Water Block Sanctuary Water Block Sanctuary Water Block Water Sanctuary Light Light Light LightSanctuary Rain Parks

Height shall Height be adjusted shall be Height based adjusted shall on feasible based be adjusted on occupancy feasible basedoccupancy on feasible occupancy Height shall be adjusted based on feasible occupancy >75’ necessitiesnecessities as well as use asnecessities well andas configuration useasand wellconfiguration as use and configuration necessities as well as use and configuration 20%

Transferable Transferable AirTransferable Air Air

Transferable Air

If a building If does a building not reach does If a building its notmaximum reach does its not maximum reach its maximum

If a building does not reach its maximum allowable height, then the owner of adjacent parcel may buy that building’s remnant air.

Buildings exceeding an FAR of 3.5 must include a 50% allowable height, allowable then height, the allowable owner then the of height, adjacent owner then of the adjacent owner of adjacent efficient rainwater and greywater recycling system in order parcel mayparcel buy that maybuilding’s buy parcel thatmay remnant building’s buy that air.remnant building’s air. remnant air. to minimise demand on infrastructure.

A


Mass Rain MassCarving Rain Carving

WaterWater Planes Planes

Buildings adjacent Buildingsto adjacent and directly to and across directly across the street the fromstreet rain parks from rain must parks follow must the follow the carving sunlight carvingrequirements. sunlight requirements.

Waterways Waterways and rain parks and rain mayparks exist may on exist on multiple planes. multiple planes.

Right Right to Light to Light

Rain Parks Rain Parks

Right to Right Light to Light Residents Residents have ahave right atoright natural to natural light inlight in their habitats. their habitats.

Rain Park RainRight Park to Right to Light Light

BlockBlock WaterWater Sanctuary Sanctuary

When possible, When rain possible, parksrain must parks must be placedbe along placed thealong southern the southern edge of aedge blockoftoaachieve block to achieve maximummaximum access toaccess sunlight. to sunlight.

Blocks touching Blocks canal touching edge canal mustedge must dedicate at dedicate least 60% at least of adjacent 60% of adjacent waterfrontwaterfront at a depthatofaat depth least of 20atfeet least to 20 feet to open air space. open air space.

LineLin 4 Ridge 4 Ridge

Mass Mass and Paths and Paths

1. Rain parks 1. Rain areparks created areas created intentional as inte fl alleviatingalleviating the strainthe on strain the canal. on the can

BuildingsBuildings which intersect which designated intersect designated pedestrian pedestrian paths must paths allow must theirallow their continuous continuous passage and passage may and extend may and extend and connect to connect the paths to the on paths any ofon theany of the pedestrian pedestrian Planes. Planes.

2. A ridgeline 2. A ridgeline is placed is atplaced the midpoint at the m b canal andcanal the rain andparks the rain redirecting parks redirec half into the rain intoparks. the rain parks.

Ped Path Ped Enclaves Path Enclaves Developments Developments surrounding surrounding pedestrian pedestrian X paths must paths provide, mustat provide, path’s plane, at path’s 50% plane, 50% floor areafloor of public area of use. public use.

X

20%X

20%X

13| Christopher Esper

Developments Developments surrounding surrounding rain parksrain parks may buildmay directly buildup directly to edge upof topool edge of pool boundaryboundary provided provided they offerthey pedestrian offer pedestrian pathway through pathwayand through downand to pool downarea. to pool area.

Courtyard Courtyard Carving Carving 6 6

Party Party 5 Parcel 5 Parcel

e

4 Ridge Line

nes, tional flooding zones, . signated their dpoint between the ye extend and ng ater half of all rainwater of the

1. Rain parks are created as intentional flooding zones, alleviating the strain on the canal.

Configuration Configuration of Parcelsofrespects Parcels respects existing organization.. existing organization..

2. A ridgeline is placed at the midpoint between the canal and the rain parks redirecting half of all rainwater into the rain parks.

ParcelParcel Consolidation Consolidation

Mass Party Mass Party

ParcelParcel Configuration Configuration

Parcel Consolidation Parcel Consolidation may not exceed may notone exceed block. one block.

ParcelParcel Minimum Minimum

20%X

20’

A parcel’sAshortest parcel’s length shortest may length not be may narrower not be narrower than 20 feet. than 20 feet.

Massing Massing Massing

AppliedApplied code procedure Applied code procedure code procedure

Massing

Applied code procedure

20’

Floorplate/ Floorplate/ Height Height 7 Feasable 7 Feasable

>75’ 20%

Waste Waste Water Water

New Parcel New division Parcelmust division respect mustblock respect geometry. block geometry. X

MassMass Courtyard Courtyard

Buildings may Buildings occupy may theoccupy full width theof full width of their Parceltheir to form Parcel party to form wallsparty with their walls with their Buildings with Buildings floor plates with floor exceeding plates exceeding 75’ 75’ adjacent buildings, adjacent provided buildings,that provided this that this in their shortest in theirdimension shortest dimension must introduce must introduce does not obscure does not existing obscure windows. existing windows. a courtyard a courtyard at least 20% at least of floor 20% area of floor area A block must A block contain must 60% contain party60% walls.party walls.

ParcelParcel Geometry Geometry

es

pedestrian plane, 50%

andand PathPath Carving Carving 3 Canal 3 Canal

2 2 RainRain ParkPark Carving Carving

Setback Setback 1 Street 1 Street

Buildings exceeding Buildings exceeding an FAR ofan 3.5FAR mustofinclude 3.5 must a 50% include a 50% efficient rainwater efficient and rainwater greywater and greywater recycling system recycling in system order in order to minimise todemand minimiseon demand infrastructure. on infrastructure.

>75’ 20%

HeightHeight shall be shall adjusted be adjusted based based on feasible on feasible occupancy occupancy necessities necessities as wellas aswell use as and use configuration and configuration

Transferable Transferable Air Air If a building If a building does not does reach not its reach maximum its maximum allowable allowable height,height, then the then owner the owner of adjacent of adjacent parcel parcel may buy may that buy building’s that building’s remnant remnant air. air.


Height Exposure Plane

Rain Park Solar Carving

Canal Solar Carving

Re-Parceling

Courtyard Void for Max Plates

Drainage Ridgeline

Heightfield

Feasible Floorplate

14 | Selected Works

Maximum 200’ Extrusion

Program Attribution

Urban Code


15| Christopher Esper


Public/Rec./Green Valued Residential Parking Manufacturing B.O.H.

Program Layers

Ped-Way

Courtyard

Commercial

Open/ Recreation

Rain Park

Canal/ Rain Park

Residential

Marina

Commercial

Canal

16 | Selected Works

Valued/ Civic


17| Christopher Esper

Courtyard

Commercial

Rain Park

Marina

Canal Public/Rec./Green Valued Residential Parking Manufacturing B.O.H. Ped-Way

Master Program Code

Sectional Coding


18 | Selected Works

A

Pedestrian Plane

Commercial +60 1/16” = 1’


19| Christopher Esper


20 | Selected Works


Site Model 21| Christopher Esper


Border Cultural Center Texas - Mexico Border

22 | Selected Works

Critic: Dr. Nicolas Markovich | Spring ‘10

While El Paso and Cd. Juarez share many cultural and social influences such as the Hispanic culture and El Paso’s place in the early history and foundation of the United States, El Paso is also a cultural hub representing from the earliest of times, the cross- border mentality of the early 1900’s. In a more contemporary setting, certain external forces such the violence in Mexico and immigration has not only caused a geographical divide, but also a social divide. The purpose of Congruence is to re-surface the facets of life that manifest physical setting and essentially grow the two back together, and reflect the characteristics that once made both cities one in the same.


Upper/ Lower Plaza 23| Christopher Esper


PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

24 | Selected Works Parking Level Ground Level First Second


Fourth

Fifth

Sixth

Lobby level 1. Lobby 2. Cultural center store Ground level 3. Arts and craft store 4. Promenade courtyard 5. Sculpture garden 6. Cafe First level 7. Administration 8. Display space 9. Lofts Second level 10. Arts and craft studio 11. Garden terrace Third level 12. Studio Fourth level 13. Theatre foyer 14. Theatre 15. Outdoor social space Fifth and Sixth levels 16. Gallery space 17. Outdoor roof theatre

25| Christopher Esper

Third


26 | Selected Works

Lobby Level

Atrium/ Workspace


27| Christopher Esper Exterior Terrace/ Facade


Natatorium

28 | Selected Works

Critic: Nicholas Markovich |Fall ‘10

Span. Structure.Circulation Certain urban circumstances were explored to inform the nature of the design for an aquatics center set in a conventional urban situation. The idea of growth was explored in both the formation stage and structural exploration; while responding to programmatic requirements, conceptual study and urban data. Recognizing that water is a crucial part of life and growth, as well as the idea that a community center empowers individuals to learn and grow, the form derives from a grid, which is emblematic of urban conformity. Growth in terms of deformation to this grid responds to objectives in the both program and context. Essentially this process creates drama from normalcy, movement and life from a static source.


29| Christopher Esper

Low-E Glass Layer

Polycarbonate Panel Layer

Frame Detail

Structural Steel Frame

Egress

Vertical Circulation

Structural Concrete Podium Foundation Pedestrian Circulation


Promenade

30 | Selected Works

Ground

Second


31| Christopher Esper


Parametric Semiology

32 | Selected Works

Critic: Patrick Schumaker |Studio Option Fall ‘13 In collaboration with Wieshun Xu

With the development of Internet, working on-site seems rather unnecessary in the future. However, face-to-face interaction does generate results and productivity that are far beyond the reach of technology now. Transforming Google campus means that the designer should fully recognize its potential of enabling off-site working conditions, and plan accordingly for maximized possibilities for free-flow, face-to-face encounters and interactions. Thus, an open-plan mat building is proposed. However, the existing structure with large span spaces and shell structures mostly enable two-dimensional movements across the same floor, and rarely free movement across floors. Hence, the challenge of this design proposal is to explore and present the possibility of a complex aggregate of working spaces made with (conceptually) a single surface, on which the two dimensional movement can topologically cross the floor structure and reach every corner of the building.

It is conceived that the aggregated working condition will be composed by variations of a single unit which involves both vertical and horizontal movement. Hence, an open column formed by two pseudo parallel surfaces is chosen as the starting point to be tested and distorted. Different fabric types are employed for form finding and material performance. A digital simulation process is taken in order to perform precise control over the formal reaction to different forces. Unit-spaces for individuals and structural concerns are the driving factors behind the variations. Unit conditions are expanded to field simulation in order to explore interaction between different unit/force types, in an attempt to find walkable surfaces. A physical model is then introduced to prove the simulation – because of the computation capacity restriction, the physical model has a finer grain to explore the relationship between surface opening and driving forces.


structural engineers of the 20th century.

2.2

Career

His academic life gave him the basics, which allowed him to get where he is today. First learning about gliding and model building he starts his architecture studies as an engineer and graduates with a dissertation about "hanging roofs". Already in 1955 he designed one of his first public textile membranes at the Bundesgartenschau in Kassel. About a decade later he founded the Institute for Lightweight Structures (IL; later ILEK) at the University of Stuttgart, for which he designed the institute building himself. There together with biologists, physicians and palaeontologists he researches natural building structures.

ILEK building in Stuttgart Vaihingen +

Sternenzelt, Kassel

Minimal Surface, Minimal Puncture, Minimal Hole

+

+

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Experimenting with wires and soap emulsion Frei Otto found a way to simulate minimal surfaces with little effort, but great results. He also used these tools for the concept of minimal puncture and minimal hole (see picture). Today this basic knowledge is still being used when designing curved shapes. In the year 2000 he developed the apertures for the Stuttgart 21 main station by Ingenhoven.

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Simulation A-3

Translatable n/a Translatable AnchorAnchor Points:Points: 4

Translatable Anchor Points: n/a

Aggregation A-1 Simulation D-1

Aggregation A-3

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Simulation A-1

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Tri Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

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Frei Otto Stuttgard 21 Trainstation Module Simulation Year: 2000

Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Edges Topology: Topology: Quad Tri Grid: 50x50 Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a Translation: n/a

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Frei Otto Stuttgard 21 Trainstation Module Simulation Year: 2000

Fabrication Process Fabrication Process

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Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: (z)+15

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Fabrication Process Material Research on Membranes and Composites 8

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: 0,0,0

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Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: (z)-50

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: (z)+50

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Edges Topology: Topology: Quad Tri Grid: 50x50 Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Incision Type: Void Translation: -Z Translation: n/a

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Tri Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: -Z

Frei Otto Stuttgard 21 Trainstation Module Simulation Year: 2000

Translatable 3 Translatable AnchorAnchor Points:Points: 4

Simulation A-3-1

Aggregation A-2 Simulation D-2

Translatable Anchor Points: 3

Aggregation A-4

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Simulation A-2

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Frei Otto Stuttgard 21 Trainstation Module Simulation Year: 2000

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Fabrication Process

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+ Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

Translatable Anchor Points: n/a

Translatable Anchor Points: n/a

Simulation E-1

Simulation E-3

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Tri Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: -Z

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Tri Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: -Z

Translatable Anchor Points: 4

Translatable Anchor Points: 24

Translatable Anchor Points: 24

Simulation E-2

Simulation E-4

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Translatable Anchor Points: 4

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Translatable Anchor Points: 2

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Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: (z)+50,-50

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Edge Fixity: Perimeter Anchors (4) Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: (z)+50,-50

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Translatable Anchor Points: 2

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Fabrication Process

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Simulation C-1

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Simulation B-1

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+ Simulation B-1-2

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Simulation C-2

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Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Tri Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

Translatable Anchor Points: n/a

Translatable Anchor Points: n/a

Simulation F-1

Simulation F-3

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Fabrication Process

Translatable Anchor Points: 4 (inverted)

++++

Translatable Anchor Points: 4

Simulation C-3

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

Simulation C-5

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Tri Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: -Z

Translatable Anchor Points: 3

Translatable Anchor Points: 24

Translatable Anchor Points: 4

+ +

Simulation C-6

+

Simulation C-4

+

++

+

+

Translatable Anchor Points: 4

+

Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Edges Topology: Tri Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: -Z

+

Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

+

Fabrication Process

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: n/a

+

Fabrication Process

Simulation F-2

Simulation F-4

33| Christopher Esper

+ +

+

Fabrication Process


34 | Selected Works


35| Christopher Esper Program density is the driving force of local FAR in a campus, and due to the free-flow mat-building agenda, sectional relationships should be adjusted based on required number of floors for each program. 3 major prototypical sectional units are chosen to mitigate boundary conditions between areas of different density.


36 | Selected Works

Original Geometry

Digital simulation generates a corresponding form that appears to be homogeneous in its representation. However, in its actual physical performance, the form gives much hint on how to implement and enhance diverse spatial performance based on structural analysis as well as designated programs. To move beyond the interpretation of a singular membrane in a computer model, material thickness and opening are generated through structural analysis of the stretched mesh, tracing major load areas. Surface normal were taken into consideration in order to control the difference between walkable surfaces and “vertical� partitions.

Stress Analysis

Skin Application

Edge Fixity: Perimeter Points Topology: Quad Grid: 50x50 Incision Type: Void Translation: (z)+50 Frei Otto Stuttgard 21 Trainstation Module Simulation

Compression/Shear

Tension

Distance Measurement

Simulation A-3-1


37| Christopher Esper To distribute the units in the site, urban entrances are mapped to simulate path conditions based on connectivity, and figure-field reversal method is used to locate working aggregates. Boundary condition and density grading then determines locations for internal public spaces and openings such as gardens and exhibition halls.


38 | Selected Works The detailed program allocation at furniture-scale follows formal potentials generated by unit deformation and overall allocation. Using the same module that constitutes the largescale mesh, the furniture design seeks formal correspondence with the overall scheme, and is structurally enabled by the deformation of the global geometry.


39| Christopher Esper


Soldier’s Field

40 | Selected Works

Development, Negotiation & Investment Analysis

This report addresses a parcel of land, approximately 9.3 acres, located at Soldiers Field Road, northwest of Harvard’s Stadium and Bright Hockey Rink, 65 N. Harvard Street, and adjacent to Harvard’s Jordan Field, in Allston, Massachusetts. The hypothetical site and situation under review is part of an integrated 155-acre Allston campus initiative, detailed in the University’s ten-year Institutional Master Plan, and approved for redevelopment by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (“BRA”) on October 17, 2013. The current owner of the site is the Longfellow Estate Trust; real estate developer Ms. Catherine Harrison controls the site through an Option to Purchase Agreement with the Trust. This will provide the basis for determining a fair market purchase offer and negotiation strategy for the University to retain the property and/or secure site control. Analysis of site characteristics and market conditions determines that a mixed portfolio of asset types yields the greatest financial return for development investment of the 9.3-acre parcel. These asset types include a 236,779-square-foot residential building, including market rate and University student housing; a 230,188-square-foot office block, with 53,924-square-foot of retail/commercial


41| Christopher Esper


A

B

2'-6"

0'-2"

+96.0

Level 7

+84.0

Level 6

+72.0

Level 5

+60.0

Level 4

+48.0

Level 3

+36.0

Level 2

+24.0

Level 1

+12.0

Level 1

+/-0

0'-3"

0'-10"

Level 8

0'-9"

42 | Selected Works

+108.0

C

2'-6"


B

2'-6"

C

2'-6"

Level 8

+96.0

Level 7

+84.0

Level 6

+72.0

Level 5

+60.0

Level 4

+48.0

Level 3

+36.0

Level 2

+24.0

Level 1

+12.0

Level 1

+/-0

Section + Siteplan

43| Christopher Esper

A


Push-Pull

46 | Selected Works

OnePrize Competition Entry - Collaboration with Chase Pitner

faculty

1,000sf

studio

1,000sf

public v. private play v. think mobile v. fixed formal v. informal digital v. analogue operable v. fixed quiet v. loud v. phonecalls

0

“The nature of work is ever changing. What was historically static and fixed has been transformed; harboring a new mode of space for a more mobile, dynamic and flexible work style--one that fosters crossdisciplinary collaboration and formal and informal synergies. Recognizing the primary tension between the Dock’s individual identity and a level of co-dependence on other entities given this ethos, we call upon the oblique surface as a mediator between certain programmatic tensions. Deployed here as a system of circulatory links flowing into presentation spaces, works spaces, and ‘think’ spaces, the oblique surface is a zone for informal and formal interaction negotiating a multitude of flows and synergies, and facilitating a new type of interaction amongst students, instructors and within the buildings work community. The formal and circulatory language proposed is one which seeks to tap into the circulation and structural language of warehouse thereby allowing people to tap into the resources and types of interaction inherent in the innovation and design process.”

Assess

assessing current square footage, we identify the need for borrowed space in order to meet programmatic demand. We also asses programmatic tensions.

public play mobile informal digital operable loud

1

Wrap

2

Extend

to accommodate extra necessary spaces we extend and plot tensions to mediate

private think fixed formal analogue quiet


1,000sf

studio

1,000sf

public v. private play v. think mobile v. fixed formal v. informal digital v. analogue operable v. fixed quiet v. loud v. phonecalls

0

public play mobile informal digital operable loud

Assess

1

Wrap

assessing current square footage, we identify the need for borrowed space in order to meet programmatic demand. We also asses programmatic tensions.

2

private think fixed formal analogue quiet

Pin up Presentation/ Pin up Seating/Lounging

Extend

3

to accommodate extra necessary spaces we extend and plot tensions to mediate

Split

due to the existing structure and as a major programmatic divide

due to the existing structure and as a major programmatic divide

4

Drop

to create a formal and informal area for seating in presentations

to create a formal and informal area for seating in presentations

archive/ research

pinup

Seating/Lounging

Split

Drop

eating/ flex space

Pin up Presentation/ Pin up

3

4

5

PushPull

pushing in plates and the exterior form create visual connections as well as programmatic zones and circulation to come. pulling down circulation gives access to community/ students-faculty

6

Slit

a secondary presentation space and fenestration reveal

7

Activate

the intervention is conceived of as the expansion and contractions of a seemingly singular continuous surface to inform programmatic zones

Design Procedure

5

47| Christopher Esper

faculty

pu vis zon cir stu


Knowledge Club

Selected Works

a new contract for work in the city M.Arch Thesis

This thesis seeks to reassert the role of architecture as a mediator between the formal happenings of work and the informal, socially related work activities present in the city. The architecture of the workplace has blurred the boundary between work, fun and socialization, yet architecture has produced a hard boundary delimiting these functions from the public, or at the very least privileged participants complicit in a larger social and commercial knowledge base.

Firms such as Google, Facebook and Apple attempt to engineer serendipity by the fanciful insertion of certain social armatures and amenities that provoke the spontaneous interaction between their own employees; these however, have been closed to actors external to the firm-- ones who are relevant in the expansion and diffusion of knowledge for both social and capital intensive purposes.


Christopher Esper Given changes in work style, this project reinvests in the role of structure to propose indeterminate space not for the infinitesimal placement of furniture systems for cloistered, heads-down work but for a post-sedentary society where events related to ‘work’ catalyze knowledge exchange between private, privileged and public participants of a broader knowledge economy.


DUMBO Knowledge/ Social Exchange Green Desk

Duggal Greenhouse

Brooklyn Navy Yards Making

Selected Works

Downtown Brooklyn Education/ Tech

The Tech Impact in NYC

SEATTLE Clean Tech

DENVER

BOSTON

Telecommunications

SILICON VALLEY Hardware, Software and Engineering

NYC

Advertising, Media, Finance, Fashion, Manufacturing, Retail

SAN DIEGO Wireless, Biotech/ Pharmaceuticals

AUSTIN Clean Tech, Gaming, Wireless

New York has recently surpassed Boston as the second most important tech hub in the nation

#1

Tech sector in NYC has the most leasing activity of all sectors in 2012

NYC EDC, NYC Commercial Real Estate Competitiveness Study, Advisory Group Presentation, June 2013

41%

expected increase in demand from 2012 to 2025

Health-Tech, Biotech, Bioengineering


Domani Studios Freeverse Freshthrills, LLC HUGE Lifebooker nLytics One Hundred Robots Pontiflex Armchair Studio Big Spaceship Carrot Creative RedOwl Analytics

Underground Eats Amplify Education, Inc Breakfast Datalot Etsy Flocabulary Mobile Commons Prolific Interactive The JAR Group

OpenGeo AdStack Albatross Digital, LLC Green Desk DUMBO HomeShopr, Inc. Ketup Mixify MyarchN, LLC Originet

Digital Dumbo DUMBO Lot Smorgasborg Made in NY Media Center

Huge Meetups

Green Desk

55 Washington

Brooklyn IOS Developers

DUMBO Knowledge/ Social Exchange

Gran Electrica

Duggal Greenhouse

45 Main

Brooklyn Navy Yards Making

Brooklyn Landing/ Clumber Corner Watchtower Properties

Situ Studio

Product and Design McMillian + Furlow Pratt Design Incubator for Sustainable Innovation Atair Aerospace New Lab Terreform1

BLDG 132 BLDG 280

Crye Precision Ferra Designs

BLDG 275

Underground Eats Amplify Education, Inc Breakfast Datalot Etsy Flocabulary Mobile Commons Prolific Interactive The JAR Group

OpenGeo AdStack Albatross Digital, LLC Green Desk DUMBO HomeShopr, Inc. Ketup Mixify MyarchN, LLC Originet

Digital Dumbo DUMBO Lot

New York City College of Technology

55 Washington

Green Desk

Kings County Courthouse

Brooklyn IOS Developers

St. Francis College

45 Main

Clocktower Building

NY Marriot

16 Court

DUMBO Knowledge/ Social Exchange

Gran Electrica

George Westinghouse High School

UA Inst. of Math & Science

Smorgasborg Made in NY Media Center

Huge Meetups

Downtown Brooklyn Education/ Tech

US District Courthouse

NYU Polytechnic

Makerbot Homer Uniworld Group TheGreenhouse Center for Urban Duggal Science and Progress(CUSP)American Lawyer Media CNG DoITT

32 Court Borough Hall

Brooklyn Navy Yards Making

Brooklyn Landing/ Clumber Corner Watchtower Properties

Metro Tech Commons

Situ Studio

Spun Pop Chart Lab Studio Mercury Other Means Motion Capture NYC ArkMedia Zignage Cir.cl Flocabulary Shine Digital Ronik Design Unexpected Ways

Green Desk

Electric Literature 89 Second Productions Silhouette Studio

Product and Design McMillian + Furlow Pratt Design Incubator for Sustainable Innovation Atair Aerospace New Lab Berkley College Terreform1

BLDG 132 BLDG 280

Crye Precision Ferra Designs

BLDG 275

US District Courthouse

Downtown Brooklyn Education/ Tech

New York City College of Technology

Spun Pop Chart Lab Studio Mercury

Means work cluster typologies in the borough of Brooklyn.MotionOtherCapture NYC George Westinghouse High School

Clocktower Building

UA Inst. of Math & Science Kings County Courthouse 16 Court St. Francis College

32 Court Borough Hall

NY Marriot

NYU Polytechnic

Metro Tech Commons

Makerbot Homer Uniworld Group The Center for Urban Science and Progress(CUSP)American Lawyer Media CNG DoITT

ArkMedia Zignage Cir.cl Flocabulary Shine Digital Ronik Design Unexpected Ways

Green Desk

Electric Literature 89 Second Productions Silhouette Studio

DUMBO functions as a neighborhood incubator, with dozens of monthly meet-ups such as Creative Mornings; and social events such as Flea Food under the Archway and Digital DUMBO. The neighborhood is also home to a number of co-working spaces and traditional incubators that ensure access to the neighborhood for freelancers and companies of all sizes including StudioMates, DUMBO Startup Lab, The Green Desk, NYU-Poly Incubator and the soon-to-open IFP “Made in New York” Media Center featuring General Assembly classrooms. Berkley College

A new type of architectural armature to facilitate closer more transaction between parties can emerge. Particularly as the DT BKLN area has a number of educational institutions and tech companies. Implying further the need for intensification of encounter between the community and the workplace.

Christopher Esper

Domani Studios Freeverse Freshthrills, LLC HUGE Lifebooker nLytics One Hundred Robots Pontiflex Armchair Studio Big Spaceship Carrot Creative RedOwl Analytics


We have come to expect to engage and disengage our environments in a similar way as we do our technologies. (right) New workplace typologies have emerged and the shift from long-term office occupation has shifted to short-term – workplace as service models. Such models, enhance encounters between individuals (freelancers, consultants) However, The next generation of workplace architects will need to design offices to allow collaboration between organizations, not just between departments or individuals. Often these organization are embedded within the city. Without a common locale they do not have the chance to interact.

Selected Works

“Club” as described by Frank Duffy is a zone of high interactivity and autonomy in which knowledge transaction is at its highest. (right)

Site Model- Situated at the foot of the Brooklyn bridge and serving DUMBO, DT Brooklyn and the Navy Yards


Strategies for re-structuring the ‘workplace’

Independence today is a construct of human perception

Stage?

Parse? Strict Separation between home and work

Independent Worker

Tenuous Technological Stressors

Embrace?

Low

INTERACTION

High

Christopher Esper

We have come to expect to engage and disengage our work environment in a similar way as we do our technologies

Den

Club

(Group)

(Transactional Knowledge Work)

Hive (Individual Process Work)

Cell (Concentrated Study)

Low

High

AUTONOMY


Extra Office

Special Event

Food Truck/ Lunchtime

Bar

Local Cafe

Open Outdoor Space (park)

Core “Office” Functions

Clubhouse

Cafe

Supper Club

Conference Room

CITY

Clubhouse

Terrace

Selected Works

Cafe

Supper Club

Library

I-Bar

Terrace

Open Meeting

Open Huddle

Closed Meeting

Huddle Room

Work Station

Work Room

OFFICE

I-Bar

Library

Open Meeting

Open Huddle

Closed Meeting

Huddle Room

Work Station

Open Meeting

Open Huddle

Closed Meeting

Huddle Room

Work Station

Socializing/ learning/ exchange

Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, Public

Companies Companies

Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, Public Work in The City

Work in the Shared Thirdplace

Physical Space

Virtual Space knowledge systems intranet

Private

extranet sites knowledge communities

Privileged (clients and other consultants)

internet sites

Work in The Office

Public (shop front / branding / information display)

Cloister individual / concentrated workspace

Club / Collaborative project and meeting space

Cafe, informal interaction and workspace


COLLABORATIVE KNOWLEDGE WORK common room

team project space meeting room

cellular office

coffee shop lobby

open plan office

CLOSED-MINDED SPACE

OPEN-MINDED SPACE

staircases

carrel

study w/ view

hallway

airport departure lounge

enclosed study

rivers, hills, lake

prison cell

Christopher Esper

INDIVIDUAL KNOWLEDGE WORK

lobby as circulatory chamber

lobby as connector/pass-through

Plotting collaborative and individual knowledge work as it relates to more open-minded spaces, linkages reveal a procession feeding too and from the lobby—a site of lost interaction between the public and private. Or between individuals who work in the same building but on different floors or in different departments. Whereas lobbies used to display certain grandeur, publicness and openness, in the case of workplaces; they have become highly securitized and regulated.

lobby as promenade

spatial connector

as destination

The typology of the lobby is Capable of Handling and nesting many types of the activities, events formal/ informal necessary interaction amongst individuals of different organizations. The lobby is the most generic and viable container for handling a myriad of flexible formal activities. It is through this thematic lens of the “lobby that we begin to investigate the cross over between the public and private domains and situate the intentions of this thesis to provide a viable open workplace for related knowledge workers.


Interaction High

Sy

Exterior

Open Work Maker Space

E

Interaction High

Low

R

Private Learning/ Expansion ‘Lobby’

High

Low Exterior

Open Work Maker Space

Exterior

Indeterminate

Private

Systems

Elevator/Egress

Interaction High

Exterior

‘Lobby’

Restroom

Open Work Learning/ Presentation

Cafe/ Eating/ seating

Low Exterior

Maker Space Learning/ Expansion

Private

Elevator/Egress

Systems

Program Indeterminate

Exterior ‘Lobby’

Open Work Learning/ Presentation

Public

Restroom

Specific Exterior

Learning/ Expansion Cafe/ Eating/ seating

Maker Space

Public

Elevator/Egress

Program Indeterminate

Study and speculation on new types of structural definition in the “open workplace” ‘Lobby’

Restroom

Specific

Learning/ Expansion Learning/ Presentation

Cafe/ Eating/ seating

Public

Program Indeterminate

Specific

Material structure in the workplace has been one of the most defining characteristics of the tower and workplace. With freedom from structural necessity, The grid can reassert itself sectionally. To produce, connection, interaction and hierarchy not for people but for use of space.

Visual but no circulation/ proximity

Programs requiring height variation

through the section we can vary program and use according to structure in this manner. This new strategy doesn’t deny the role of structure rather negotiates the structure according to programmed uses and speculates on zones for indeterminate, serendipitous, unplanned and casual relationships between people

Visual but no circulation/ proximity

Visual but no circulation/ proximity Programs requiring height variation

Cafe/ Eating/ seating

Systems

Interaction

Selected Works

Learning/ Presentation

Program


Interaction High

Low Private

open to cloister typlogy

field to form

Systems

Exterior

Maker Space

Elevator/Egress

public open

priveledged open

priveledged closed

private open

Restroom

Low Private

Learning/ Expansion ‘Lobby’

ystems

Learning/ Presentation

Cafe/toEating/ field form seating

open to cloister typlogy

Exterior

Public

Program

Elevator/Egress

Indeterminate

Specific public open

Public

priveledged

Christopher Esper

Restroom

Exterior

Open Work

Specific

open enclosure varied field open field

open enclosure varied field open field

closed enclosure closed enclosure

varied field

varied field

open field

open field


Selected Works Model- Material structure in informing spatial use and the “dissolved perimeter�


Christopher Esper Section- Varying Structural depths of beams and columns


Selected Works

The structure in plan begins to inform the type of enclosure and programmatic use


Christopher Esper


Selected Works Public exterior promenade


Christopher Esper


Selected Works Perspective- Relationship of ‘open structure’ to the street and city.


Christopher Esper


Residential

a post- Katrina dwelling

COMMONS ENC

54 | Selected Works

COMMONS LOUISIANA STREET

Erosion.Regeneration.Protection The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina left hundreds dead and thousands homeless. The hurricane displaced many families and in turn marred the cultural tapestry that New Orleans once had. The traditions that exemplified this diverse cultural amalgam even reached into the once provincial way of building and living. ‘Shotgun homes’ as they are commonly called, embodied the way that New Orleanian’s lived. “The street was the audience and the porch was the stage.” The families that once populated these typically 30’x80” lots will now have a second chance, as these old traditions are re-imagined into a new type of “sustainable” and “protected” living for the future of New Orleans. The new type of structure will be elevated 10’ off the ground to protect against future floods. The exterior façade paneling system would be composed of a composite graphite polymer that would act to shield from blowing debris— which was a common hazard during the storm. Fenestration is strategically placed on the façade in order to shield openings while allowing for the penetration of light.


Professional

HOK Architects 80 Story Tower Facade DD | Houston Texas Summer ‘14

COMMONS ENCLOSURE COMMONS LOUISIANA STREET PERSPECTIVE

CLOSURE

55| Christopher Esper

7

T ELEVATION

HPP /(9(/

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